A review by sunnysiding
The Shining Girls by Lauren Beukes

dark tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

A book centered on the victims of serial killings rather than idolizing the killer. Exciting, heart wrenching, achingly human.

Lost a star for the bizarre subplot of Dan being in love with Kirby. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gore, Suicide, Blood, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexual content, Medical content, Grief, Abortion, and Alcohol

Minor: Deadnaming, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Rape, Transphobia, Pregnancy, and Sexual harassment

There is an entire chapter that heavily features animal injury/death:

Kirby's dog is killed, brutally, trying to protect her

. It's pretty expected for a book about serial killing but it is visceral and detailed. There are several other depictions of animal cruelty, injury, and death.